Thank you! The board doesn't come with fins and when I asked they just recommended FCS II so was at a bit of a loss. The only surf fins I've got go with the surf inflatable from Starboard, but I do think the center fin from that will work for now til I figure out what the heck I'm doing.
@poppy1013 definitely give a read through the 5 page long thread on the Kalamas, as numerous folks including myself have given details about how we prefer to fin it... to save you a ton of reading, i run medium quobbas in the sides and tiny cheap 3.5" fins in the rears... i'm 5'11" and 180lbs... i tried the FCS II Harley quad set but i found them too large and stiff... the tiny cheap flexy rears allow for easy turning on smaller waves and the medium quobbas in the sides have plenty of hold on big waves for me
In one of Dave's interviews he said his preferred fin set up is performer large front, medium rears,I personally struggled with this set up as mentioned by others way to stiff for me,we are all different!
Poppy, I am pretty casual/lazy when it comes to fins, and generally a fan of throwing in what you got, but I do think you will have a better time starting out on the Kalama with a multi-fin set up of some sort. I, lazy, have not gotten around to buying a set of quobbas, but I think if I was starting from no fins I would give them a go. NShoreSlider's set up with the mediums and the small flexy quad trailers sounds good for that board. If at some point you get an fcs longboard box adaptor you will also have at a couple 3 fin set ups you can try using your current single fin or the quobbas trailer in combination with the quobbas sides or even the small trailers as side bites if your single is a really big fin.
You are very light compared to me.you are about 58 kg you said. So I would stay away from large fins..
You are very light compared to me.you are about 58 kg you said. So I would stay away from large fins. Looks like you have a few options on how to fin the board. Really depends on the size and sort of waves you are in.
Thank you all! Really appreciate the advice. I picked the board up yesterday so hoping to get out on the water this weekend with longboard fin to start. I ordered the medium quobbas and 2 small either side bites so will give that a go as soon as they get here to compare! To start I'm not really planing on anything other than the small waves until I figure out what the heck I'm doing! It's going to be quite the upgrade from my inflatable surf sup for sure.
I'm figuring out a New Deal 9 X 31, 125 L. It's teaching me as i go. Like some of you I don't like the stock fins. The sidebites seem too toed+canted for me, thus too slow paddling out, too slow to catching waves. I've gone to a single 9.75 Greenough Stage 4 and things are much better. Now i want to try it as a twinny (as one of you suggested) by using convertible twin fins set back over an inch on the base with a 3" stabilizer set far back in the center box . Anyone have any feedback on trying this kid of fin set up on the ND and/or any other comments about the ND in general? Tanks.
Select to expand quoteFrach said..
The sidebites seem too toed+canted for me, thus too slow paddling out, too slow to catching waves.
+1I tend to think that for fins, it is best to first decide which fins will be the main providers of grip, and size the others so that they not interfer or "fight" the main fin(s).
This is which I do not like the traditional 2+1 setup with e.g 4'5" sizdes and 7" center: both sides and center have about the same grip, and thus contradict each other.
Either remove the sidebites (or make them tiny), or go single like you did.
Or put the focus on the sides, and as you plan, go twins + trailer.
Thanks Colas you've given me courage of my convictions! Happy wave riding, Frach.
I experimented with nvs set back twin fin with new deal and it did ride different maybe a little faster but didn't love the turning. Main advantage for me was ability to fit another board on top without hitting center fin. I found the Stu Kenson twinzer fins really nice with a smaller thruster rear, very reactive and fast. I also thought the stock fins were great very drivey, turny and smooth.
l never noticed a difference in paddling speed but a single fin is probably best for that as small as you can tolerate. For a surf sup I just worry about riding performance. If you can get a narrower 10 ft. Board that would be a huge improvement in paddling speed and wave catching compared to changing fins.
I didn't buy the pricier nvs twins, just sprung for cheap polycarbs with a set back that's even further than the nvs. Just want to experiment. Gotta say the, the 9.7" Stage 4 center fin felt great! I've been getting back into old school single fins for SUP in smaller waves but still pe refer quads for more traction on take off in big surf.
That said, i like your statement slsurf that narrower 10' board would be better for paddling out + catching waves vs continuing with the 9 X 31 X 125. I went from my normal 29" width preference to 31" for more stability here in Oregon coast's ruffle, current and wind. Now I kinda wish I'd gone w/the 10 X 27 X 122L which would be faster paddling yet close in stability being only 3L less volume? With the 10 X 27 I may like it with the stock thruster fin set which you seem to prefer...
I never tried the 10x27 but probable more like stability of 9x28 or 29. Kalama has a 10x28 and even an 11. You could check other brands also. I wouldn't sweat a few liters difference over such a long board but you will notice less side to side stability for sure when not moving. Everything's a trade off.
I think I'll stick with the 9X31 ND, it's super stable side to side and I 'm looking forward to trying it as a twin. Really appreciate your voice from experience. I know everything's a trade off in one way or another so I'm hoping the ND will have will have a place in my quiver even if only for those wonky days or when I'm tired but still wanna surf! I love this site, thank you all for sharing!
